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United States Patent |
5,288,117
|
Vogelgesang
|
February 22, 1994
|
Motor vehicle bumper
Abstract
A bumper for motor vehicles, comprises a dimensionally stable supporting
bracket and an elastic covering which forms the front end area of the
vehicle body and on which at least bone lamp compartment is constructed
for receiving a lamp compartment. In order to, when the lamp compartment
is arranged on the edge side on the covering, on the one hand, achieve a
fastening of the covering that is appropriate for its functioning and, on
the other hand, ensure a no-damage backward escaping of the lamp unit
after the effect of force as well as a subsequent returning into the
original position, the lamp compartment rests, at least in sections, on a
supporting element which is constructed in a sword shape and is disposed
to carry out relative movements.
Inventors:
|
Vogelgesang; Harald-Werner (Wurmberg, DE)
|
Assignee:
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Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche AG (Weissach, DE)
|
Appl. No.:
|
991343 |
Filed:
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December 15, 1992 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
Current U.S. Class: |
293/117; 293/120; 362/505 |
Intern'l Class: |
B60R 019/08 |
Field of Search: |
293/117,120,132
362/82
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
3583756 | Jun., 1971 | Wilfert | 293/117.
|
4070051 | Jan., 1978 | Peter | 293/117.
|
4213644 | Jul., 1980 | Scrivo et al. | 293/117.
|
Primary Examiner: Song; Robert R.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Evenson, McKeown, Edwards & Lenahan
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A bumper for a motor vehicle, comprising a dimensionally stable
supporting bracket and an elastic covering forming a front end area of a
body of the motor vehicle and on which at least one lamp compartment,
formed on an upper edge side of the covering, is constructed for receiving
a lamp unit, wherein the at least one lamp compartment rests, at least in
sections, on a supporting element having a sword-shaped configuration
which in cooperation with the supporting bracket and the body of the motor
vehicle, is operatively arranged to carry out relative movements.
2. The bumper according to claim 1, wherein the supporting element extends
below an approximately horizontally aligned lower wall of the at lease one
lamp compartment.
3. The bumper according to claim 1, wherein on a side of the supporting
element facing the at least one lamp compartment, local projecting ribs
extend in a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle such that the lamp
compartment rest thereon.
4. The bumper according to claim 3, wherein the supporting element extends
below an approximately horizontally aligned lower wall of the at lease one
lamp compartment.
5. The bumper according to claim 2, wherein that the supporting element is
arched upwards in the direction of the at least one lamp compartment.
6. The bumper according to claim 5, wherein the supporting element extends
below an approximately horizontally aligned lower wall of the at lease one
lamp compartment.
7. The bumper according to claim 6, wherein on a side of the supporting
element facing the at least one lamp compartment, local projecting ribs
extend in a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle such that the lamp
compartment rest thereon.
8. The bumper according to claim 1, wherein one end of the supporting
element, is rotatably disposed on a wheel-housing side holder.
9. The bumper according to claim 8, wherein end, of the supporting element
engages in a receiving device of the dimensionally stable supporting
bracket and is operatively held in position there at so that it can be
slid in a predetermined manner, and the supporting element, as viewed in a
vertical direction, being fixed in the receiving device.
10. The bumper according to claim 9, where the receiving device is
slot-shaped and is arranged on a bumper guard provided on the one end side
on the dimensionally stable supporting bracket.
11. The bumper according to claim 10, wherein the receiving device is
operatively arranged onto an upper, approximately horizontally aligned leg
of the dimensionally stable supporting bracket.
12. The bumper according to claim 9, wherein as viewed in the top view, the
receiving device is in configured such that a swivel movement of the
supporting element is positively ensured when the bumper is impacted and
at least one of the supporting element and the bumper carries out a
restoring movement.
13. The bumper according to claim 1, wherein impact absorbers are
operatively associated with the supporting element such that after being
acted upon by an impact, the supporting element is configured and arranged
such that, as a result of the supporting force of the impact absorbers, is
returned to its original position.
14. The bumper according to claim 1, wherein recesses are provided on a
rearward upright boundary wall of the at least one lamp compartment in the
area of a Z-shaped fold, so as to absorb changes of length of the at least
one lamp compartment when pressure sets on the bumper.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a bumper for vehicles, and, more
particularly, to a bumper for motor vehicles, comprising a dimensionally
stable supporting bracket and an elastic covering forming a front end area
of a body of the motor vehicle and on which at least one lamp compartment
is constructed for receiving a lamp unit.
In the case of a known vehicle such as the Porsche 911 Carrera 2 and 4, a
bumper is provided in the forward area which comprises a dimensionally
stable supporting bracket and an elastic covering forming the front end
area of the vehicle. One lamp compartment respectively for accommodating a
lamp unit is provided on the large-surface covering on both sides of a
license plate. The two lamp compartments are provided in a center area of
the covering so that an upper edge of the covering can be continuously
fastened to the adjacent vehicle body.
When the lamp compartment is arranged on the edge side or the lamp unit is
fastened to the covering, it is an object of the present invention to take
such measures that, on the one hand, the covering is fastened in this area
in a manner that is appropriate for its functioning (no sagging) and that,
on the other hand, in the case of an pendulum impact of 30.degree., the
lamp unit can yield backwards without being damaged and, after being acted
upon by the impact, can return to its original position.
This object has been achieved according to the invention by providing that
wherein at least one lamp compartment arranged on an edge side of the
covering rests, t least in sections, on a supporting element having a
sword-shaped configuration and operatively arranged to carry out relative
movements.
Principal advantages achieved with the invention are that, as a result of
the arrangement of a sword-shaped supporting element which is disposed so
that it can carry out relative movements below the lamp compartment
constructed on the side of the edge on the covering, on the one hand, a
sagging of the covering is avoided and that, on the other hand, in the
case of a 30.degree. pendulum impact, the lamp unit can escape toward the
rear without any damage and can, after it has been acted upon by the
impact, return into its original position. On one of its ends, the
supporting element is rotatably arranged on a wheel-housing-side holder,
whereas the other end of the supporting element is slidably held in
position on a receiving device of the dimensionally stable supporting
bracket. The receiving device is constructed on the end side on the
dimensionally stable supporting bracket.
Recesses which are provided on the lamp compartment between the two lamps
to be received, cause a predetermined bending point of the lamp
compartment when it is acted upon by an impact and absorb the change of
length of the lamp compartment during the deformation. The supporting
element is arched upwards in order to generate a prestressing for the
covering.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention
will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description
of a currently preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a partial side view of a forward area of a passenger car having a
bumper;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view along line II--II of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view along line III--III of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a partial sectional top view of the lamp compartment of the
covering, the dimensionally stable supporting bracket and the supporting
element;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view along line V--V of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view along line VI--VI of FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view along line VII--VII of FIG. 4;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view along line VIII--VIII of FIG. 4;
FIG. 9, is an enlarged sectional view along line IX--IX of FIG. 1;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view from the front of the dimensionally stable
supporting bracket and the supporting element; and
FIG. 11 is a view in the direction of the arrow S of FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a forward area of a passenger car 1 comprising a body 2
composed of a bumper 3, a forward side part 4, a headlight 5, a forward
hood 6, a windshield 7, a door 8 and front wheels 9. The bumper 3 has a
dimensionally stable supporting bracket 10 (FIG. 3) and an elastic
covering 11 which forms the end area of the vehicle body is disposed in
front of the supporting bracket 10 and extends laterally around to an
adjacent wheel house 12 of the front wheels 9.
As seen in FIG. 10, the approximately U-shaped dimensionally stable
supporting bracket 10, which can, for example, be formed by an extruded
profile which is made of light metal (e.g., aluminum), is bent as viewed
in top view, and is supported by impact absorbing devices 13 on side
members of the vehicle body 2 (not shown in detail).
FIG. 9 shows how the elastic covering 11 is held in position at several
locations by conventional fastening elements 14 on a stationary body part
(such as the side part 4) disposed there above. A sealing strip 15 is
provided between the vehicle body part and the bent-away upper edge area
of the covering 11. In addition, recess-shaped lamp compartments 16 are
arranged on the elastic covering 11, in the area below the headlights 5.
Lamp units 17 are fitted into these lamp compartments 16 as seen in FIG.
1. The recess-shaped lamp compartments 16 are constructed on the edge side
of the covering 11. Each lamp compartment 16 is formed by a lower,
approximately horizontally aligned wall 18, by two lateral wall sections
19, 20 extending from the covering 11 toward the interior, and by a rear,
upright boundary wall 21. The two lateral wall sections 19, 20 lead in one
piece into the rear boundary wall 21, in Which case the rear boundary wall
21 has a shape which is adapted to the inserted lamps. Because of the
edge-side arrangement of the lamp compartment 16, an upper boundary wall
is not provided.
Each lamp unit 17 comprises a fog lamp 22 and a turn signal lamp 23 which
are inserted side-by-side in the lamp compartments 16. The fog lamp 22 as
well as the turn signal lamp 23 are firmly connected with the lamp
compartment 16 by way of a plug-type connection 24 and/or a screwed
connection 25. As shown in FIG. 3, the fog lamp 22 comprises a lens 26 and
a two-piece housing 27 which accommodates a source of illumination 28. The
turn signal lamp 23 has a generally similar construction to that of the
fog lamp 22.
In order to avoid a sagging of the elastic covering 11 in the area of the
lamp compartment 16, which has a relatively large transverse dimension and
is arranged on the edge side, and in order to ensure an escape toward the
rear and a subsequent return of the lamp unit 17 in the case of a
30.degree. pendulum impact, the lamp compartment 16, which is constructed
on the edge side, rests, at least in sections, on a sword-shaped
supporting element 29, which is supported so that it can carry out
relative movements as best seen in FIG. 4.
On one of its ends 30, the approximately horizontally aligned sword-shaped
supporting element 29 is rotatably connected with a wheel-housing-side
holder 31.
The wheel-housing-side holder 31 extends in a transverse direction of the
vehicle and is fixedly connected (for example, welded together) on one
side with the wheel housing 12 and on the other side with an inwardly bent
flange 32 of the side part 4. On the approximately U-shaped profiled
holder 31, a weld nut 33 is locally arranged into which a fastening screw
34 is screwed for the supporting element 29 as illustrated in FIG. 5. In
addition, one or several bushings 35 are provided for the rotatable
bearing of the supporting element 29 which surround the fastening screw 34
and are inserted into an opening of the supporting element 29 as seen in
FIG. 4. The other end 36 of the supporting element 29 is slidably held in
position in a receiving device 37 of the dimensionally stable supporting
bracket 10 such that the supporting element 29 is fixed in the vertical
direction but a swivel movement of the supporting element 29 is possible
inside the receiving device 37 with reference to FIG. 10. The supporting
element 29 extends below the approximately horizontally aligned lower wall
18 of the lamp compartment 16. Projecting ribs 38 on the supporting
element 29 are constructed locally to extend in the longitudinal direction
and the lamp compartment 16 rests thereon in a linear manner. The ribs 38
are spaced from and parallel to one another.
As seen in to FIGS. 8 and 10, the slot-shaped receiving device 37 is
provided on an bumper guard 39 made of aluminum or plastic which is fitted
onto the dimensionally stable supporting bracket 10 on the end side. The
bumper guard is connected with the supporting bracket 10 disposed behind
it by a rivet 40. The receiving device 37 extends above a horizontally
aligned upper leg 41 of the dimensionally stable supporting bracket 10 and
is dimensioned in the vertical direction such that a non-rattling snug fit
exists between the receiving device 37 and the supporting element 29.
In top view, the receiving device 37 has a significantly larger width than
a narrow, long-stretched end area 42 of the supporting element 29 since
under the influence of force the dimensionally stable supporting bracket
10 and the supporting element 29 carry out a relative movement and the
length change of the supporting element 29 must be absorbed in the
receiving device 37. In the installed position A (FIGS. 3 and 4), the end
area 42 of the supporting element 29 projects only slightly (distance B on
FIG. 4) beyond the receiving device 37, whereas after being acted upon by
an impact (position C), the end area 42 projects beyond the receiving
device 37 by a measurement that is larger than distance B. Viewed in the
transverse direction, the dimensionally stable supporting bracket 10 ends
approximately in the outer edge area of the fog lamp 22.
In the area between the two lamps 22, 23 of the lamp unit 17, upright
extending recesses 43, 44 (FIG. 11) are provided on the rear boundary wall
21 of the lamp compartment 16 in the area of a Z-shaped fold 45 which
define a predetermined bending point for the lamp compartment 16 when
acted upon by force and absorb the change of length in a defined manner
(FIG. 4). After being acted upon by an impact, the covering 11 with the
lamp units 17 and the supporting element 29 are returned into their
original position (installed position A) by the restoring force of the
impact absorbing devices 13.
Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is
to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and
example, and is not to be taken by way of limitation. The spirit and scope
of the present invention are to be limited only by the terms of the
appended claims.
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